Buffalo Bills News - March 4, 2004

Bills sign guard Villarrial [5:16 AM]Rochester D&C reports:
'Improving Buffalo’s offensive line play and the team’s overall mental toughness are goals spelled out by president and general manager Tom Donahoe. In signing Villarrial, the team feels it has helped address both areas.'

Vikings interested in Bills' Winfield [5:15 AM]St. Paul Pioneer Press reports:
'The Vikings believe Winfield is the best available cornerback in a strong class. Although he is just 5 feet 9, the former first-round pick from Ohio State is known for his toughness, coverage ability and help on run support. Winfield played two years under new Vikings defensive coordinator Ted Cottrell in Buffalo.'

Bears start fast, fade fast [5:14 AM]Arlington Heights Daily Herald reports:
'"Chris did a great job for us, but when a player gets out into free agency you have to be prepared to lose him," Angelo said. "So we'll still look for offensive linemen. We're comfortable with the people we have. We have Terrence Metcalf, so we do have a replacement for Chris. But we want to get more linemen in here to create good depth if nothing else."'

So long Keyshawn and trade? [5:13 AM]St. Petersburg Times reports:
'"My intention was to re-sign with Buffalo but as soon as free agency started everything broke loose," said Moore, a 12-year veteran whose one-year, $900,000 contract will cost only $450,000 on the salary cap because of a veteran exception. "Tampa called and we started talking and it seemed that it made a lot of sense for my situation and my family to be here all year round."'

Steelers sign Kreider, eye Colts' linebacker Marcus Washington [5:12 AM]Pittsburgh Post Gazette reports:
'Tight end Mark Bruener, released Friday by the Steelers, will visit Buffalo Tuesday to meet with the man who drafted him No. 1 in 1995 with the Steelers, Bills president Tom Donahoe, and his former tight ends coach and offensive coordinator, Buffalo coach Mike Mularkey. "We have interest in him as a blocking tight end," Donahoe said, "and we're eager to have him in for a visit."

Put the press on Winfield [5:11 AM]Newark Star Ledger reports:
'New Jets defensive coordinator Donnie Henderson wants to play a gambling, blitz-happy scheme that relies on man-to-man coverage and Winfield is the perfect fit. Winfield, a first-round pick in 1999, has played his entire career with the Bills and last season became the first cornerback in club history to lead the team in tackles. Opponents rarely threw to his side with success.'

Jets try to corner Winfield market [5:10 AM]New York Daily News reports:
'As of last night, the two sides were trying to hammer out a deal. It's believed the Jets offered a multi-year contract averaging at least $5.6 million per year, including a signing bonus that may top $10 million. One sticking point was the amount of money in the first three years, but there were late indications an agreement could be reached today.'

Corner market [5:09 AM]New York Newsday reports:
'Winfield, 26, viewed as a good fit for the predominantly man-to-man system the Jets want to play, made the Jets his first stop on his free-agent tour. He has other visits planned, but he and his agent spent the night on Long Island and will continue talks with the Jets this morning.'

March 3, 2004

Bills cut Moore [11:21 PM]ESPN reports:Clayton's Quick Hits:
The Bills cut tight end Dave Moore to save $800,000 of cap room. Their plan was to cut him and re-sign him quickly to the minimum salary qualifier and get $450,000 in cap relief. The only problem is that the Bucs worked quickly to convince him to return to the Tampa area. Moore, a former Bucs starting tight end, accepted the minimum salary tender and joined Jon Gruden and the Bucs Wednesday.

Moore Returns [9:02 PM]Buccaneers.com reports:
Dave Moore always had a nose for the end zone at Raymond James Stadium. Maybe that helped him find his way back to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Buccaneers opened their 2004 free agency efforts on Wednesday with the immediate signing of Moore, the 12th-year veteran TE. Moore played the majority of his NFL career with the Buccaneers before spending the last two seasons with the Buffalo Bills.

New Guard Villarrial Says He's Ready To Win [7:43 PM]BuffaloBills.com reports:
'"First and foremost, they have great fans. The family atmosphere. Thirdly would be the coaching staff. I met with the staff and they're excited. They want to win. They want to bring a winner here. I want to win. That's our fit."'

Bills Sign Chris Villarrial [7:42 PM]BuffaloBills.com reports:
'Last season, he started all 13 games in which he played. Entering his ninth season, Villarrial has primarily played right guard with the exception of the 1997 season when he started 11 games at center. A three-year starter at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Villarrial was drafted by the Bears in the fifth round of the 1996 draft.'

Bills sign offensive lineman Villarrial, work out cornerback Vincent [7:41 PM]AP reports:
'The Bills also worked out cornerback Troy Vincent on Wednesday. Vincent, who has 42 interceptions in his 12-year career, has played with both Philadelphia and Miami. ''We had a good talk and it was a chance for him to visit with certain people,'' Mularkey said. ''I think he's still playing at a high level and is a very good corner.'''

Bills sign offensive lineman Villarrial [7:40 PM]AP reports:
'Villarrial, 30, has spent his entire eight-year career with the Chicago Bears, starting 109 of the 116 games that he has appeared in.'

Bills Make Villarrial First Free Agent Signing Of 2004 [7:38 PM]WGR-AM reports:
'The 30-year-old has proven to be durable while playing for the Bears. Villarrial will likely be plugged into Buffalo's starting lineup, as he was a mainstay on the Bears' offensive line. He started in 109 of the 116 games he appeared in, including 13 games last season. Villarrial also has experience at center, where he played 11 games in 1997.'

Buffalo inks Villarrial [7:37 PM]The Sports Network reports:
'Villarrial, 30, had spent his first eight seasons with the Chicago Bears and started in 109 of the 116 games that he appeared in. Last year, Villarrial started all 13 games he played.'

Bills released TE Moore [7:36 PM]The Sports Network reports:
'The 12-year veteran spent the past two seasons in Buffalo, where he had 11 starts in 29 games. He had only seven catches for 82 yards last season.'

Raiding the champs [11:04 AM]CNN/SI reports:
'The Buffalo Bills are close to adding more juice to their AFC East rivalry with the New England Patriots by nearing a contract agreement with offensive lineman Damien Woody, one of the NFL's most highly regarded unrestricted free agents.'

Bills Release Dave Moore [10:31 AM]BuffaloBills.com reports:
'Moore spent the last two seasons with Buffalo. In that time he appeared in 29 games (11 starts) and caught 23 passes for 223 yards with four touchdown receptions.'

Winfield cornering the market [8:51 AM]Buffalo News reports:
'Winfield is an interesting test for the market. He has not yet made the Pro Bowl and has just one interception in his last 37 games. However, his track record as an excellent all-around player and his age (he will be 27 in June) arguably make him more valuable than the other cornerbacks available.
Meanwhile, the Bills made another anticipated salary cap cut Tuesday when they released backup tight end Dave Moore. The move saved about $800,000 of cap space. Moore, 34, who caught seven passes last season, was scheduled to count $1.2 million against the cap this season.'

Bills set for free agency [5:16 AM]Rochester D&C reports:
'“Our roster is in a different position and our cap is different,” Donahoe said. “Last year, we needed a lot of bodies, particularly on defense, and we still need some players. But the difference is that we have some good players on our team and we have some players who we think — that with different coaching — can get even better. Are we going to be involved in free agency? We will, but probably not to the same degree as last year.”'

OL Sullivan re-signs with Bills [5:15 AM]AP reports:
'Sullivan's best season came in 2002, when he started all 16 games at right guard. But he lost his starting job to Mike Pucillo in training camp and the Bills tried converting Sullivan into a tackle.'

March 2, 2004

Bills Should Benefit From Williams' Draft Decision [4:59 PM]NFLPlayers.com reports:
'Southern Cal defensive end Kenechi Udeze or Ohio State defensive end Will Smith would be a solid pick. The Bills ranked ninth in the NFL in sacks a year ago, but they need a better pass-rushing defensive lineman to complement Aaron Schobel.'

Donahoe ready for free-agency period to begin [4:53 PM]AP reports:
'The Bills will not re-sign any of their unrestricted free agents before Wednesday. Besides Winfield, that group includes fullback Sam Gash and running back and special teams captain Sammy Morris.'